Chest



Patented Aug. 7, 1934 John Weben lVIilton, Pa., ass'ign'or to West'Branch- Novelty Company, Milton, Pa.

Application July 25,1933, Serial No. 682,145 i 4 Claims. (01.217557) This invention relates to chests such as commonly made of cedar and used for the storage of fabrics, etc.

It is an object of the invention to provide a chest having a tray mounted beneath and adjacent to the lid, this tray and the lid being so mounted that access can be had readily to the contents of the tray without uncovering the contents of the chest or, if desired, the tray can be lifted with the lid without exposing its contents but giving access to the contents of the chest.

A still further object is to provide a structure which permits the use of one look for securing both the tray and the lid.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claim, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

In the accompanying drawing the preferred -form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawing:

Figure 1 is a vertical section taken from front to rear through the upper portion of a chest made in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a section through a portion of the chest taken on the line 22, Figure 1.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference 1 designates the body of the chest which can be of any desired proportions and materials. Instead of the usual dust strip which is provided at the top of a chest body there is utilized, in the present instance, a frame 2 which rests upon the walls of the body and is hingedly mounted at 3 so as to be capable of swinging upwardly to expose the contents of the chest. At a suitable point in this frame there is provided an opening 4 adapted to receive a block 5 which is secured to and depends from a lid 6. The lid is hingedly connected at '1 to the frame 2 and is adapted normally to rest upon the frame so that block 5 will bear upon one of the walls of the chest 1. ,Block 5 is provided with a keeper 8 of any suitable construction for engagement by an ordinary mortise lock 9. Thus when this lock is engaged with its keeper the lid 6 and frame 2 are both fastened securely in closed position. By releasing block 5 the lid 6 can be swung upwardly independently of the frame 2 or, by taking hold of a projecting portion of frame 2 said frame and the lid can both be swung upwardly.

10 of any desired proportionsis secured: within the frame 2 and is suspended therefrom..-

Thetopof this tray is adapted to be closed byzthe' lid 6 and, if desired, a panel 11 can be secured to the lid or formed thereon for projecting into the tray to more effectively seal it. One or more slotted guides 12 are secured within the tray for engagement by a brace 13 pivotally connected to the lid of the tray. Thus when the lid is raised relative to the tray each guide and brace will cooperate to support the lid in elevated position.

A similar arrangement of slotted guide 14 and brace 15 is provided for the frame 2. The guide or guides 14 are secured within the chest while the brace or braces 15 are pivotally connected to the bottom of the tray or at any other suitable point. Thus when the frame 2 is swung upward- 1y carrying the tray 10 and lid 6 therewith brace 15 and guide 14 will cooperate to hold them elevated. I

It is to be understood that sufficient clearances are provided around block 5 and panel 11 to allow these parts to move readily into and out of position.

In order that both the lid and tray may be raised as a unit to permit access to the interior of the chest, one or more spring clips or catches 16 can be arranged in the tray for yieldingly engaging angular lugs 17 depending from the lid. These clips will grip the lugs to prevent the frame 2 and tray 10 from swinging downwardly accidentally while the lid is open. However they will not be of such strength as to prevent the convenient raising of lid 6 independently of frame 2.

If desired a portion of the frame 2 can be cut away as shown at 18 so that the fingers can be easily inserted between the frame and lid to permit said lid to be forcibly lifted from the frame in order to disengage each lug 1'7 from its clip.

By providing a. lock 9 for engaging a keeper on block 5 and by mounting the lid and frame in the manner described it will be noted that the frame to secure the lid upon the frame and the framef upon the chest.

2. As an article of manufacture a cover forcedar chests and the like comprising a frame adapted to be hingedly connected to the-back of,

a chest and to rest upon theowallsthereof, a tray carried by the frame, a lid hingedly connected to the back of the frame and normally resting on the frame and closing the tray, and a keeper carrying element depending from the lid, there being an opening in the frame for the reception of said element to position the keeper for engagement by a lock. l

' 3. The combination with a chest or the like, of a frame movably connected to the chest, a tray carried thereby, a lid hingedly connected to the frame and normally resting upon the frame and closing the tray, a snap fastener for holding the frame and tray against accidental downward movement relative to the lid when the lid is raised, a member carried by the lid and normally extending through the frame, and cooperating fastening means on the chest and said member for securing the lid to the chest and upon the frame.

4. The combination with a chest, of a frame mounted thereon and normally bearing upon the walls thereof, a hinge connecting the frame and chest, a tray carried by the frame, a lid, a hinge connecting thelid to the frame, said lid normally bearing on the frame to close the tray, a fastener element carried by the lid and a fastener element on the chest, said elements cooperating to secure the lid upon the frame and the frame upon the chest, the hinges of the frame and lid being out of axial alinement.

JOHN WEBER. 

